The Rt. Revd. Ewen Ratteray

Bishop of Bermuda

This Christmas will be for many somewhat less than happy than usual, due to the loss of family members, friends and colleagues as a consequence of the tragic events in America on September 11th. Their celebration of the birth of Jesus will, without doubt, be somewhat muted. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as we share in the joy of this special time.

Others, perhaps not directly involved but affected nevertheless, may well feel a greater degree of closeness to those dear to them. This particular disaster has heightened their awareness of the tremendous value of family life, of love and of friendship. Yet beyond such tragedies, life continues with its cycle of joys, sorrows and ordinary occurrences. We rejoice and give thanks and praise to God for the precious gift of life as we commemorate the birth of his Son, Jesus. His coming into the world to partake of the human condition signalled a great and wonderful act of love and commitment to us wayward and sometimes feckless human beings. God loved and cared about his creation so much that he was willing to come among us in human form. In so doing he identified himself with us in a way that has captured the hearts, minds and imaginations of all mankind for the past two thousand years.

We are living in a time when there is much conflict that is causing pain and misery in many places around the world. Therefore we pray that he who is the Prince of Peace may touch and change the hearts of those who wage war, so that his peace may reign in every land. We can play our part in small ways by being loving, caring, tolerant and compassionate towards those we encounter every day. We remember the importance of loving and caring about all, friend and foe. By acting in this way we shall demonstrate the love of Jesus, God's own Son, born of Mary at this time.

I wish you all much peace, joy and happiness this Christmas and always.